Hay-loader.



A. OTTO, JR.

HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.12,1913.

1,099,31 1 Patented June 9,1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

34 g Qvm a as c a "fiij ClWUQ H 10% jugular Otto, J/f

A. OTTO, JR, "g

HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.12.1913.

1,099,311. r Patented June 9,1914.

August 0110, J)?

3 SHEETS-811E131 2.

Qbtowwua Q A. OTTO, JR.

HAY LOADER.

PPPPPP ATION FILED 3.12. 1913.

62X)- 344 0c M 601 August Otto, Jr?

35:3 n m I QHMMM Q orinon.

AUGUST OTTO, JR., OF SANDWICH, ILLINOIS.

- HAY-LOA'DZIER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5), 1914.

To all 'tU/IUYH it may concern Be it known that I, Auous'r OTTO, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Sam'lwich, in the county of Dekalb and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hay-Loaders, of \vhichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for gathering up ha y or the like and conveying the same to a desired point. and has particular reference to a hay loader of the re ciprocatory or walking rake type, which is adapted to be suitably connected with the rear end of a wagon or the like to travel therewith and operate continuously by being drawn along with the wagon for supplying the hayor the like to the same.

An important object of this invention is to provide. a hay loader of the reciprocatory or walking rake type. which is so constructed that the hay or the like will be fed by the same. to the desired point, in an expeditious and continuous manner, without the hay choking the loader or remaining therein, as not infrequently happens with hay loaders of this type. as heretofore constructed.

A further object of my invention is to provide conveyer mechanism embodying reciprocatory or walking teeth carrying beams for effecting the feeding movement of the hay or the like, the same having means to operate them which are in the form of teeth carrying pitmen or beams, the same thus serving as additional means to effect the feeding movement of the hay or. the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel means to operate the reciproeatory or walking teeth carrying beams, such means in addition to serving as means to effect the feeding movement of the hay, causing the teeth carrying beams to move longitudinally a much greater distance than transversely.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved crank-shaft, included in the means for operating the teeth carrying beams.

A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the above mentioned character, which is strong, durable, comparatively cheap to manufacture, easy to operate, and automatic and continuous'in such operation.

Other objects and advantages .Of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

Inthe accompanying drawings, formin a part of this specification. and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Figure 1 is a front view of the complete apparatus, Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, Fig. 3 is a red tral vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the teeth carrying beams and associated elements. parts thereof being broken away. i

in the drawings. wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodh ment of my invention, a hay loader is shown comprising a normally inclined preferably rectangular frame including longitudinal beams (3, which are connected near their upper and lower ends by transverse beams T and 8. Secured to these transverse beams are suitably-spaced slats 9. serving as a bottom for the normally inclined frame. Disposed upon the outer side of the transverse beams 7 and 8 are diagonal reinforcingstrips 10, rigidly connected with the longitudinal beams 6, and crossing. as shown. The normally inclined frame is rigidly mounted upon a substantially horizontal frame comprising horizontal. beams 11, to which the longitudinal beams 6 are suitably attached. The horizontal beams 11 have upstanding journal boxes or bearings 12 rigidly connected therewith near and spaced from theforward ends thereof. 'for receiving an axle 13, upon which are rotatably mounted traction wheels 14, as shown. Upstanding supports 15 are connected with the longitudinal beams 6 andthe horizontial beams 11, as shown. Connected with the rear end of the horizontal beams 11 are inclined beams 16, which extend upwardly for connection with the longitudinal beams 6, as shown. The rear ends of the horizontal beams 11 are supported by small wheels 17, carried by brac rats 18, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected with the horizontal beams 11 to swing in a substantially vertical plane, as shown at 19. lonnected with each of the wheels 17 is a reciprocatory rod 20, operating through a bracket 21. which is rigidly mounted upon the rear end of the horizontal beam 11. The upward longitutlinal movement of the rod 20 is opposed by a suitably stifi' compressible coil spring 22, as shown.

The numeral 24 designates a rotatable rake ofany well known or preferred type,

which is suitably mounted upon the horizontal frame, as shown.

The rotatable rake 24 receives its rota tion from a sprocket wheel 35, rigidly connected therewith, the same being driven by a sprocket chain 36, extending forwardly to engage with a large sprocket wheel 37, rigidly connected with one of the traction wheels 14, for rotation therewith. The sprocket chain 36 is trained about an idler sprocket wheel 38, which is suitably rotatably mounted upon the forward end of the horizdntal beam 11, as shown at 39. The rear portion of the sprocket chain 36 extends upwardly to engage a small sprocket wheel 40, rigidly mounted upon a transverse operating crank-shaft 41' as shown. This up per rear portion of the sprocket chain 36 is engaged by an adjustable tension pulley 40, as shown. The free ends 41 of this transverse operating crank-shaft 41 are" journaled through bearings 42, which are rigidly mounted upon the inclined beams 16, as shown.

I provide conveyer mechanism for conveying or elevating the hay or the like from proximity to the rotatable rake, which gathers up the hay and delivers the same to such conveyer mechanism. This conveyer mechanism comprises a plurality of sets of longitudinally movable and suitably flexible beams 42 and 43, carrying depending teeth 44, as shown. The beams 42 in one set move together and the beams 43in the other set move '1 gether, such sets moving independently of each other. Rigidly connected with the teeth carrying beams 42 are upstanding V-shaped brackets 45, which are connected b a transverse bar or strip 46, as shown.

he outer teeth carrying beams 42 have guide brackets 47 connected with the upper ends thereof, operating within relatively stationary guides 48, fixedly mounted upon an upper transverse beam or red 49, as shown. The transverse beam 49 is attached to the upper ends of upstanding standards or supports 50 which are rigidly connected with the upper ends of the longitudinal beams 6,as shown. the fact that the two inner suitably flexible longitudinal teethcarrying beams 42 in the same set are not provided with the guide brackets 47, whereby the upper end portions thereof are free to bend or swing downwardly by their ownweight below the upper end portions of the outer teeth carrying beams 42. This is an important feature of the invention as it produces the proper final discharge of the hay from the loader. The

inner teeth carrying beam 43 is provided with an upstanding V-shaped bracket 51,

having connection, as shown at 52, with a transverse rod or strip 53. This transverse rod 53 is connected at its ends with guide Attention is called to brackets 54, rigidly mounted upon the outer teeth carrying beams Theguide brackcts 54 operate through relativelv stationary guides 55, which are rigidly attached to the transverse beam 49, shown. The upper end portion of the inner teeth carrying beam 43, being suitably flexible, bends or swings downwardly below the corresponding end portions of the outer beams 43,for the .pur-

pose described in connection with the inner beams 42. I

The construction of the transverse operating crank-shaft 41 is an important feature of this invention. This crankshaft is easy to make,economical .in material with a corresponding saving in the cost thereof, and enablesthe placing of a greater number of cranks into a given transverse space. The crank-shaft 41 is provided with small cranks or crank portions 56, as shown. Adjacent the outer small cranks 56 are inner and outer enlarged cranks 57 and 58, the outer enlarged cranks 58 serving to effect the longitudinal movement of the teeth carrying beams .42, and

the inner enlarged cranks 57 serving to effect the longitudinal movement of the teeth carrying beams 43. Each of the small cranks 56, are journaled through a slidable block 59, (see Fig. 5), which is mounted upon the teeth carrying beam to move longitudinally thereof. 'lhe slidable block 59 is mounted within a guide bracket 60, which is connected with the teeth carrying-beam by means of screws or bolts 61. The slidable block 59 is provided upon its lower face with a longitudinal groove 62, receiving a spline or rib 63, which is rigidly mounted upon the teeth carrying beams, as shown. It is thus seen that the small cranks 56 serve to raise and lower the lower. ends of I the teeth carrying beams but do noteifect their longitudinal movement.

*Pivotally connected with the outer enlar ed cranks 58 are pitmen 64, the upper enfs of which are pivotally connected with the outer teeth carrying beams 42, as shown at 65. It is obvious that these pitmen effect the longitudinal movement of allof the teeth carrying beams 42. The pitmen 64 carry depending teeth 66, which serve to eflect the feeding movement of the hay or the like. Pivotally connected with the inner enlarged cranks 57 are pitmen 67, extending upwardly for pivotal connection with the outer teeth carrying beams 43,.as shown at 68. These pitmen 67 carry dependin teeth 69, which aid in effecting the fee mg movement of the hay or the like.

Particular attention is called. to the fact that the two sets of pitmen 64 and67 are I provided with teeth (the same being hereinafter termed teeth carrying pitmen), to

aid in the feeding movement of the hay or the like. By this construction', the width of the apparatus as a whole may be materially reduced. as these pitmen serve as additional reciproratory teeth. carrying beams. Besides this. these pitmen being connected with the enlarged cranks, are moved downwardly for a greater distance than the teeth, carrying beams, whereby they. are capable of engaging with portions of the hay which may not be fed by the movement of the teethcarrying beams. It has beenfound by experience, that there is a tendency for the hay to accumulate at or near the longitudinal beams 6 of the inclined 'frame, which disad; vantage is entirely overcome by the provision of the teeth carrying pitmen, which are disposed adjacent the longitudinal beams 6.

lonnected with the upper transverse beam7 is a discharge chute 71, to conduct the hay or the like into the wagon.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The hay loader is disposed in the rear of a wagon or the like and is suitably connected therewith to be drawn along with it. The rotation of the traction wheel 14 is imparted to the sprocket wheel 35 through the medium of the sprocket chain 36, such sprocket wheel rotating counter-clockwise for rotating the rake 24 in the same direction. The hay thus delivered to the lower J end of the slats 9 or inclined frame, is engaged by the teeth 44 of the beams 42 and t3. and is ted upwardly by the same. The set of teeth carrying beams 4-2 are reciprocated by the teeth carrying pitmen (34, which receive their movement from the outer enlarged cranks 58. The teeth 66 carried by the outer pitmen (H also engage the bay to efl' ect the upward or longitudinal travel of the same. The teeth carrying pitmen 64 are capable of moving downwardly a greater distance than the main teeth carrying-beams, whereby the samewill effect the feeding movement of some of the hay which may not be proper] engaged by the main teeth carrying beams, particularly the hay accumulating adjacent the side beams 6. The normal cranks 56 serve to raise and lower the lower ends of the teeth carrying'beams 42. while the pitmen (S4 etl'ect their longitudinal travel, which is much greater than, the transverse movement of the lower ends thereof. This is rendered possible by the provision of the blocks 52), having the normal ("ranks 543 pivotally connected therewith, such blocks being slidably mounted upon the teeth carrying beams. The upper ends of the outer teeth carrying beams 42 have slidable connection with the transverse beam ll), while the upper ends of the inner teeth carrying beams 42 are free from such conuection, whereby, the same being suitably stili' and flexible, will swing or bend downwardly by their own weight. It has been found that this bending of the inner teeth carrying beams 42 is very important as it beam 49. swings or bends downwardly by its own weight. a suitable distance, for ett'ecting the proper final discharge of the hay from the loader. The upper ends ofthe outer teeth carrying beams 43 have slidable connection with the transverse beam 49. The hay is finally delivered into the chute 71 and conducted thereby to the wagon.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described claim 1. In apparatus of the character described. the combination with a wheeled supporting structure, of a plurality of teeth carrying beams mounted thereon and extending longitudinallv thereof, a transverse crank-shaft connected with the supporting structure and having suitable connect-ion with the teeth carrying beams, teeth carrying pitmen pivotally connected with certain my invention, I

of the teeth carrying beams and having suitable connection with the transverse crankshaft and means to drive the crank shaft.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a supporting structure serving a chute through which hay or the like is fed, of a plurality of teeth carrying beams extending longitudinally of the supporting structure, a transversecrankshaft arranged near the supporting structure and having suitable connection with the teeth carrying beams, teeth carrying pit-men pivotally connected with certain of the teeth carrying beams between the ends of said certain teeth carrying beams and arranged inwardly of and adjacent the longitudinal sides of the supporting structure and having suitable connection with the crank-shaft, and means to rotate the crank-shaft.

3. 1n apparatus of the character described, the combination with a wheeled su porting structure, of ;a transverse cranlishaft mounted thereon and including small and large cranks, a plurality of longitudinal teeth carrying beams having loose pivotal connection with the small cranks, teeth carryirig pitr nen pivotally COIIDQCf/Gd with the large cranks arid with certain of the" teeth carrying beams, arid meahs to rotate the crank-shaft. H L j 4. in afh'ay 'lozidei'; thecombinationwith' :minclined hz'ty supporting structilre, of; a Dll llflllty of sets of recijiro cable teeth carr mg membersd oluntedj aboi e theflhziy Supt-'1 p ortih'g structiir'e, 'Irieahfs fbrioscill'etingthe" lm velff end/of the teethf cari yin g members of each set 1n :1 vert cal pjlahe;anflsep'arate" supplemental means having azgt eater; vert1 carrying members for moving h ay fi'om the lower outer portions of the hay supportifig structure. 7 V i Y 5. 111 a hay loader, the co mb inationwith an inclined hay supporting structure, of

main" recip'ro cable teeth carryihg' members;

means for oscillating the teeth] carryingmembers in vertical planes, supplemental re: ciprocable teeth carryingjm'embere adjacent each lower, edge of. the hay supporting eti'uctilre and means to oscillate the supplemerital teeth cefrying'menibers ind'verticml' plane, the last najned'teeth carrying members being mo'n'r'i'ted to move downwardly 21' greater distance than the v main teeth carry- 6. I i1 hay loitleg; the". combifiatioflwith an inclined hay; supporting sti'uctiire; i of a trar'isver'sfelydisposed rotatable" shaft" @586 v cizited therewith arfdf proyided. with small ar cr ks;e pmwei teeter.

ih'gi meiribei'" connected withg the' small cr'zi'nk ahd extendirig' longitudinally? of fthe su'ppoi'ting stt iic'tiire; recipi'ocatory teeth" carrying I membere conin'ected with the cm'iik's to; be moved thereby downwardly-fol suhe thhtia l L (lis ta r iceg th end? of. the dox'vi wa -d travel ofthe firjst named;

teeth -:ca1 rying' n enihei's, said last" iia meti teeth carrying members b'el ngf a'rra'nged t0 operate adjacent the lohgitudil' al edges of the hay supporting structure to remove hay 

